INSO kicks off with a blast

The first International Nuclear Science Olympiad (INSO) officially started on Aug 1 with a blast as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), along with partners and other guests, welcomed the olympiad participants in the opening ceremonies held at the SMX Convention Center in New Clark City, Pampanga. 

The contenders will compete in a grueling two-day examination of skills and knowledge in nuclear science. Pioneering participants include 14 countries of 55 contenders with 27 team leaders, and 14 observers.

“Organizing the first ever Nuclear Science Olympiad has indeed been a challenge,” says DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Director (PNRI), Dr. Carlo Arcilla. ‘’When we accepted the invitation to host this event, we did not know how big of a feat this would be for our country, but we are delighted to see all of you here with us today as the participants of this competition that is the first of its kind.’’  

Meanwhile, Marina Binti Mishar from the Division for Asia and the Pacific, Department of Technical Cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, describes the Olympiad as not just a gathering of participants from different nations but also of ‘’a global community united by a common goal: to explore, innovate, and push the boundaries of what is possible in the field of nuclear science.’’ 

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum likewise underscored the aim of the INSO which is to increase global awareness on the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology, particularly on how these are supportive to the current thrust of the science department which he calls the four pillars, namely human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability.

One of the proudest moments of the program was when the contenders were introduced bearing their national flags.  Among the roster of dignitaries present at the event were His Excellency Ambassador Ahmed Saad N.A. Al-Homidi and his staff from the embassy of Qatar, Mr. Hameed Alshammari from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia,  Honorary Consul General Michael Alexander M. Ang from the Embassy of Jordan, and Mohd Fareed Zakaria, Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of Malaysia.

Also recognized during the event was the designer of the organizational INSO logo, Raihana Azwa from Indonesia. Last year, the INSO as an institution ran a logo-making contest  which was open to secondary school students across the Asia and the Pacific Region last year.  Azwa’s winning design consists of a circular atom as a material representation of nuclear that surrounds the earth, which symbolizes the Olympics held in various countries. 

The program was attended by the INSO Steering Committee headed by Dr. Maya Al Azri with Ms. Siti Nur Ain Binti Sulaiman, Ms. RorlindanBinti Yusof, Ms. Issariya Chairam, Mr. Jay Carl Malonhao Agbay, Mr. Sumathipala Hewa Hakuru, Mr. Salman Alsehri, and Mr. Kunthida Waree.

Delegates from supporting agencies include Ms. Mishar and Ms. Helena Zhivitskaya, Dr. Alumanda Dela Rosa of the Philippine Nuclear Science Foundation, Dr. Leila P. Areola and Mr. Jios Ver D. Temporal of the Department of Education, and Mr. Joselito Carteciano of the DOST- National Research Council of the Philippines.  

Meanwhile, IAEA experts to serve in the Olympiad include Dr. Jane Gerardo-Abaya, former Director for Asia and the Pacific from the Department of Technical Cooperation of the IAEA; Mr. Hamood Salim Said Hameed Al-Shidhani from Oman, Mr. Palihawadana Arachchige Aloy Perera from Sri Lanka, Mr. Aman Ur Rehman from Pakistan, Mr. David Grabaskas from the USA, and Mr. Takeshi Iimoto and Mr. Yuichi Tsunoyama from Japan.

 Further, event sponsors were likewise recognized such as Isaiah Taylor and Kip Mock of Valar Atomics,  Neil Carlo Francisco of GN Power, Raisa Aguilar and Mary Castillo from ALV Technologies Philippines, Paul Francis Juat of ISI E-Beam, and Atty. Mariliza Kalaw of CURIO. (INSO Publicity Working Team)